Printed system, image display apparatus, image display method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

ABSTRACT

A printing system including a client device which generates a job including a pair of first image data and attachment data, and a printing apparatus which includes a paper accommodation unit accommodating paper, receives the job from the client device, converts the first image data into second image data for printing by RIP processing, and prints an image based on the second image data on paper, includes a job specification unit, an image generation unit, and an image display. The job specification unit specifies any job in a stage previous to the conversion into the second image data by the RIP processing. The image generation unit generates, based on the attachment data forming the job specified by the job specification unit, an image obtained by editing a thumbnail image based on the first image data to a printing layout. The display displays the image generated by the image generation unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2016-159423 filed Aug. 16, 2016.

BACKGROUND (i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to a printing system, an image displayapparatus, an image display method, and a non-transitory computerreadable medium.

(ii) Related Art

For printing with a large printing apparatus such as a productionprinting apparatus, to confirm what printing result may be obtainedprior to printing, preview display using a thumbnail image has beenprovided.

Known preview display includes two types:

(1) preview display for displaying a thumbnail image for each page of anoriginal, based on original data before raster image processor (RIP)processing is performed; and

(2) preview display for displaying a thumbnail image of a printing imageregarding imposition or the like, based on print data after RIPprocessing is performed.

Preview display (1) is based on original data before RIP processing,which takes a long time, is performed, and therefore, simpleconfirmation is possible. However, for example, in the case whereimposition or the like is performed, the preview image is different fromthe actual printing image.

In contrast, preview display (2) is based on print data after RIPprocessing is performed, and therefore, preview display which matchesthe actual printing image regarding imposition or the like is provided.However, for preview display (2), RIP processing needs to be performedprior to the preview display. Therefore, it takes a time to providepreview display. Furthermore, in the case where a setting change whichmay cause a change in the result of RIP processing, such as a change inimposition, is performed, RIP processing needs to be performed again.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a printingsystem including a client device which generates a job including a pairof first image data representing a set of images and attachment datanecessary for printing an image based on the first image data, and aprinting apparatus which includes a paper accommodation unitaccommodating paper to be used for printing, receives the job from theclient device, converts the first image data forming the job into secondimage data for printing by RIP processing, and prints an image based onthe second image data on paper, including a job specification unit, animage generation unit, and an image display. The job specification unitspecifies any job in a stage previous to the conversion into the secondimage data by the RIP processing. The image generation unit generates,based on the attachment data forming the job specified by the jobspecification unit, an image obtained by editing a thumbnail image basedon the first image data forming the job to a printing layout. The imagedisplay displays the image generated by the image generation unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the entire configuration ofa printing system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a job menu screen;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a “simplified”preview image generation process;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams illustrating the relationship betweenspecification of a paper feed method and a thumbnail image;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a preview image taking intoconsideration the orientation of paper based on post-processingspecification;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a preview displayroutine executed for displaying a preview image;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the first half of a flowchart of animage layout calculation routine for “simplified” preview; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the second half of the flowchart of theimage layout calculation routine for “simplified” preview.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed.

In the exemplary embodiments described below, all the images other thanthe ones printed on paper are data images. Hereinafter, data images maybe simply represented as “images”, for example, without clearlyrepresenting data images as “image data”. The same applies to otherterms such as originals, which belong to the category of images.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the entire configuration ofa printing system. The printing system illustrated in FIG. 1 correspondsto a printing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

A printing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes multiple clientpersonal computers (PCs) 10 and a printing apparatus 20. The multipleclient PCs 10 and the printing apparatus 20 are connected to one anothervia a local area network (LAN) 30.

The client PCs 10 perform image editing processing in accordance with auser operation. The client PCs 10 each correspond to an example of aclient device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

An image generated by image editing processing at each of the client PCs10 will be referred to as an “original”. An “original” corresponds to anexample of first image data according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Furthermore, at each of the client PCs 10, an“original” generated by image editing processing is associated with“attachment information” which is necessary for printing of the“original”. A pair of an “original” and “attachment information” will bereferred to as a “job”. “Attachment information” corresponds to anexample of attachment data according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The details of “attachment information” will bedescribed later.

Jobs generated at the client PCs 10 are transmitted to the printingapparatus 20. The printing apparatus 20 has a function to temporarilystore the jobs transmitted from the client PCs 10 and then sequentiallyprint and output the jobs on paper. To the printing apparatus 20, a PC21 which functions as a user interface (UI) of the printing apparatus 20is connected.

Prior to printing, the printing apparatus 20 performs RIP processing onan “original” to generate output data for printing. Then, the printingapparatus 20 prints an image based on the generated output data onpaper. The output data corresponds to an example of second image dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Multiple (in this example, five) paper feed trays 22 are provided at theprinting apparatus 20. In the paper feed trays 22, sheets of paper ofsizes set for the individual paper feed trays 22 are stacked andaccommodated in orientations set for the individual paper feed trays 22.Sheets of paper accommodated in the paper feed trays 22 are picked upone by one and used for print output. The orientation of paperaccommodated in the paper feed trays 22 includes two types: long edgefeed (LEF), and short edge feed (SEF). LEF is an orientation in whichlong sides of paper are set to the front edge and the rear edge in apaper transport direction when the paper is picked up from the paperfeed trays 22 and transported. SEF is an orientation in which shortsides of paper are set to the front edge and the rear edge in the papertransport direction when the paper is picked up from the paper feedtrays 22 and transported. The size and orientation of paper accommodatedin each of the paper feed trays 22 may be set in a desired manner.Setting information of the paper feed trays 22 (information of the sizeand orientation of paper accommodated in the paper feed trays) arestored in advance in the printing apparatus 20 as “tray settinginformation” in association with the paper feed trays 22. A sensor fordetecting whether or not each of the paper feed trays 22 is empty isprovided at the paper feed tray 22. An image is printed on one side orboth sides of paper picked up from each of the paper feed trays 22, inaccordance with a job.

Furthermore, a post-processor (not illustrated in FIG. 1) for punching ahole or stapling paper is built in the printing apparatus 20. However,for example, stapling paper may be performed in a limited area of papersuch as an area near the rear edge in the paper transport direction.

An image is printed on one side or both sides of paper picked up fromany one of the multiple paper feed trays 22, in accordance with a jobinstruction. If the job instruction indicates post-processing,post-processing such as punching a hole or stapling paper is performedin accordance with the instruction, and the paper is sequentiallystacked on a paper output tray 23.

Hardware such as the client PCs 10 and the printing apparatus 20 iswidely known general-purpose technology, and therefore, illustration andexplanation for the hardware configuration will be omitted.

For transmission of a job from a client PC 10, setting may be performedsuch that print output based on the job is immediately started or suchthat the job is temporarily held inside the printing apparatus 20. Thatis, in a case where the client PC 10 transmits a job to the printingapparatus 20 while issuing an instruction to suspend print output, printoutput is not performed immediately, and the transmitted job is heldinside the printing apparatus. After an instruction to perform printoutput is received, print output is performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen.

When the PC 21 attached to the printing apparatus 20 is operated to opena job list screen 40 and a “pending” tab is pressed on the job listscreen 40, a pending job list screen 41 and a preview screen 42illustrated in FIG. 2 are displayed. In the pending job list screen 41illustrated in FIG. 2, a job with an ID of 1 and a job name of ABC and ajob with an ID of 2 and a job name of DEF are indicated. An “RIP” fieldfor the job with the ID of 1 and the job name of ABC is blank. Thisindicates that RIP processing has not yet been performed on the job. Incontrast, “Done” is described in an “RIP” field for the job with the IDof 2 and the job name of DEF. This indicates that RIP processing hasalready been performed on the job. However, even for a job on which RIPprocessing has already been performed, if a setting change which affectsthe RIP processing result is performed for the job, “Done” in the “RIP”field for the job is deleted and the “RIP” field becomes blank.

When one of pending jobs indicated on the pending job list screen 41 isselected and one of three tabs: “original”, “simplified”, and “output”,for preview display is pressed, a preview image 421 of the selected jobis displayed in accordance with the pressed tab. The preview image 421illustrated in FIG. 2 is a “simplified” image created as described laterwith reference to FIG. 4. When a scroll bar 422 on a side of the previewimage 421 is operated, a remaining image of the preview image 421 isdisplayed. The details of a preview image will be described later.

The job list illustrated in FIG. 2 may be indicated on the displayscreen of each of the client PCs 10. However, for a general user, only ajob transmitted from the user's own client PC 10 may be indicated. Inthe case where a user logs in as an administrator, all the pending jobsare indicated, regardless of which user (client PC 10) is logged in.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a job menu screen.

When any of pending jobs is selected on the pending job list screen 41illustrated in FIG. 2 and right-clicking or the like is performed, a jobmenu screen 50 regarding the job is opened. On the job menu screen 50,items including “edit”, “RIP”, and “print” are arranged. “Edit” is anitem to be pressed to open an original of the job and performconfirmation or editing of the original. “RIP” is an item to be pressedto issue an instruction to perform RIP processing for the job. “Print”is an item to be pressed to issue an instruction to perform printingbased on the job. On the job menu screen 50, for example, items to bepressed to perform confirmation or correction of attachment informationof the job and various other items, which are not illustrated in FIG. 3,are arranged. However, explanation for those items will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a “simplified”preview image generation process.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, there are three tabs for preview display:“original”, “simplified”, and “output”. When the “simplified” tab ispressed, processing for preview display is performed, as illustrated inFIG. 4. In the explanation of “simplified” preview display providedbelow with reference to FIG. 4, “original” preview display and “output”preview display” will also be mentioned.

FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B) illustrate a process to generation of a previewimage, and FIG. 4(C) or FIG. 4(D) is a generated preview image.Furthermore, to avoid complicated illustration, only preview images forthe first two pages are illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, job information defining a job includes“original”, “imposition setting”, and “job setting”.

As described above, “original” represents image data generated by imageediting processing at the client PCs 10. “Original” also includesinformation regarding the size per page of the original, the number ofpages, orientation, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 4(A), anoriginal of “A4 size, portrait, eight pages” is defined.

“Imposition setting” and “job setting” are attachment informationattached to an “original”. “Imposition setting” is information defininga method for arranging an original on paper. As “imposition setting”,layout rules such as N-up layout and saddle stitching, the number ofrepetitions, and the layout size are set. N-up layout represents that anoriginal for one sheet is composed of an N-page original. Saddlestitching is an example of definition of the arrangement order of anoriginal which is to be finished as a booklet. The number of repetitionsrepresents information defining how many sheets of the same original arearranged. In this example, as “imposition setting”, “SRA3, landscape,saddle stitching” is defined. This represents, as illustrated in FIG.4(B), in a space of landscape paper of SRA3 size, which is slightlylarger than A3 paper, two sheets of original (A4 size) are arranged witha saddle stitching arrangement order. In this case, SRA3 only representsa space for imposition and does not represent paper used for printing.To avoid complicated illustration, only paper for two pages isindicated.

“Job setting” defines a rule for print output. In this example,“both-sided specification”, “page-range specification”,“number-of-copies specification”, “paper feed method (automatic, trayspecification)”, “slip sheet specification”, “post-processingspecification (stapling paper, punching a hole), and so on are defined.

“Both-sided specification” represents specification for printing imageson both sides of paper.

“Page-range specification” represents specification of a range for printoutput (print output from what page to what page).

“Number-of-copies specification” represents specification as to thenumber of copies of a set to be output.

“Paper feed method (automatic, tray specification)” representsspecification of a paper feed tray. In the case where a paper tray isnot specified, the printing apparatus selects a paper feed tray.

“Slip sheet specification” represents specification for inserting asheet of paper which represents a break between two copies, for thenumber of copies specified in “number-of-copies specification”.

“Post-processing specification (stapling paper, punching a hole)”represents specification for a post-processing method such as staplingpaper or punching a hole. In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 4(C),“specify tray 1 A4 LEF, scale to fit paper size” is specified. In thiscase, other specifications are not defined. That is, in this case,“one-sided printing, all page printing, one copy, no slip sheet, nopost-processing” is set.

In the preview image 421 illustrated in FIG. 2, paper is indicated withthe transport direction from left to right. Also in FIG. 4, theorientation of paper is the same as the indication on the preview image421 of FIG. 2. In this case, “specify tray 1 A4 LEF, scale to fit papersize” is specified, and therefore, paper is rendered in portraitorientation such that paper is transported in the direction of arrow X.

In the case where “job setting” is set to “specify tray 2 A4 SEF, scaleto fit paper size” not “specify tray 1 A4 LEF, scale to fit paper size”,the preview image 421 of FIG. 2 is indicated such that paper is renderedin landscape orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 4(D).

When the “original” tab among the three tabs of “original”,“simplified”, and “output” for preview display illustrated in FIG. 2 ispressed, thumbnail images for individual pages of an original aredirectly indicated, as illustrated in FIG. 4(A). In contrast, when the“output” tab is pressed, an image based on output data generated by RIPprocessing is indicated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, an“output” image is the same as a “simplified” image. However, forexample, if a particular setting for changing the color of a specificobject among multiple objects constituting an image within one page isperformed, a “simplified” image does not support the change in thecolor, but an “output” image represents an image with the changed color.Thus, only “output” images support some cases. However, in most cases,“simplified” images are sufficient for understanding of printing images.

In this exemplary embodiment, as processing for “simplified” previewdisplay, processing described below is performed.

(Job Setting)

Number-of-Copies Specification and Sort Specification

The order of output pages varies according to number-of-copiesspecification and sort specification. Therefore, a preview image isdisplayed taking into consideration the number-of-copies specificationand the sort specification.

Example 1

In the case where “four pages, two copies, sorting is specified” is set,preview images are displayed in the order of pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3,and 4.

Example 2

In the case where “four pages, two copies, sorting is not specified” isset, preview images are displayed in the order of pages 1, 1, 2, 2, 3,3, 4, and 4.

Paper Feed Method (Automatic, Tray Specification)

The size and orientation of paper to be used for printing variesaccording to specification of a paper feed method. Therefore, a previewimage is displayed taking into consideration the paper feed method.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams illustrating the relationship betweenspecification of a paper feed method and a thumbnail image.

Example 1

in the case where “one page, portrait A4 original, automatic paperfeeding” is set, priority is provided to LEF with a higher printingspeed. Therefore, an image is displayed to fit A4 LEF, as illustrated inFIG. 5A.

Example 2

“one page, portrait A4 original, specify A3 SEF tray as paper feedmethod” is set, paper in the specified tray is used. Therefore, apreview image is displayed with a blank region to fit A3 SEF, asillustrated in FIG. 5B.

Example 3

“one page, portrait A4 original, specify A5 SEF tray as paper feedmethod” is set, paper in the specified tray is used. Therefore, apreview image is displayed such that an image of an original is clippedto fit A5 SEF and only a half image of the original is displayed, asillustrated in FIG. 5C.

Post-Processing Specification (Stapling Paper, Punching a Hole)

The orientation of paper to be used for printing varies according topost-processing specification. Therefore, a preview image is displayedtaking into consideration the post-processing specification.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating preview images taking intoconsideration the orientation of paper based on the post-processingspecification. Marks at the left end of each of FIGS. 6A and 6Brepresent a staple position.

For the printing apparatus according to this exemplary embodiment,stapling paper may be performed only at the rear end of paper in thepaper transport direction, in terms of the mechanism of the printingapparatus. Thus, procedures described below are taken.

Example 1

In the case where “portrait A4 original, one page, stapling paper atupper part” is set, stapling paper needs to be performed at the upperend of a portrait image. Therefore, SEF paper is used. Thus, the imageis rotated to fit SEF paper and is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

Example 2

In the case where “portrait A4 original, one page, stapling paper atleft part” is set, stapling paper needs to be performed at the left endof a portrait image. Therefore, LEF paper is used. Thus, the image isrotated to fit LEF paper and is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

Printing Order Specification (Ascending Order, Descending Order)

The order of output pages for printing varies depending on whetherprinting is performed in an ascending order or a descending order.Therefore, an image is displayed taking into consideration the printingorder specification.

Example 1

In the case where “four pages, ascending order” is set, images aredisplayed in the order of pages 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Example 2

In the case where “four pages, descending order” is set, images aredisplayed in the order of pages 4, 3, 2, and 1.

(Tray Setting Information)

The orientation of paper to be used for printing varies according to theorientation of paper set in the printing apparatus 20. Therefore, animage is displayed taking into consideration the tray settinginformation.

Example 1

In the case where “portrait A4 original, one page, automatic paperfeeding” is set and both A4 SEF paper and A4 LEF paper are set at theprinting apparatus 20, priority is provided to LEF paper with a higherprinting speed. Therefore, an image is displayed to fit A4 LEF paper.

Example 2

In the case where “portrait A4 original, one page, automatic paperfeeding” is set, A4 LEF paper is not set at the printing apparatus 20,and A4 SEF paper is set, A4 SEF paper is used. Therefore, an image isdisplayed to fit A4 SEF paper.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a preview displayroutine executed for displaying a preview image.

The preview display routine illustrated in FIG. 7 is a routine which isexecuted in response to selection of any job on the pending job listscreen 41 illustrated in FIG. 2.

When a job is selected (step S101), it is determined whether or notRIP-processed output data corresponding to the job exists (step S102).In the case where RIP-processed output data exists, the “original” taband the “output” tab among the three tabs for preview displayillustrated in FIG. 2 are displayed (step S111). This is because in thecase where RIP-processed output data exists, an “output” preview imageis the most accurate image as a printing image, and a “simplified”preview image does not need to be displayed. In contrast, in the casewhere RIP-processed output data does not exist in the selected job, the“original” tab and the “simplified” tab among the three tabs for imagedisplay illustrated in FIG. 2 are displayed (step S121). This is becauseRIP processing has not yet been performed and an “output” preview imageis thus not able to be displayed. The “original” tab is displayed,irrespective of whether or not RIP-processed output data exists. This isbecause there may be a need to confirm a thumbnail image of an original,irrespective of before or after RIP processing.

In the state in which the “original” tab and the “output” tab aredisplayed on the preview screen 42 illustrated in FIG. 2 (step S111),when one of the “original” tab and the “output” tab is pressed (stepS112), it is determined whether the “output” tab or the “original” tabis pressed (step S113). When the “output” tab is pressed, an “output”preview image is displayed (step S114). When the “original” tab ispressed, an “original” preview image is displayed (step S115).

In contrast, in the state in which the “original” tab and the“simplified” tab are displayed on the preview screen 42 illustrated inFIG. 2 (step S121), when one of the “original” tab and the “simplified”tab is pressed (step S122), it is determined whether the “simplified”tab or the “original” tab is pressed (step S123). When the “simplified”tab is pressed, image layout for “simplified” preview is calculated(step S124), and a “simplified” preview image is displayed (step S125).When the “original” tab is pressed, an “original” preview image isdisplayed (step S115).

FIGS. 8 and 9 are the first half and the second half of a flowchart ofan image layout calculation routine for “simplified” preview which isexecuted in step S124 of the preview display routine illustrated in FIG.7.

First, job information of a target job for the current preview displayis acquired (step S201). Job information has been explained above withreference to FIG. 4. Therefore, redundant explanation will not beprovided here.

Next, the number of physical pages is acquired with reference to the jobinformation (step S202). The “number of physical pages” represents thenumber of sheets of paper to be print output (however, if an instructionfor both-sided printing is issued, the number of sheets when the numberof individual front faces and rear faces is counted, and the number ofsheets for one copy even if the number of copies is specified).

Next, processing described below is performed sequentially forindividual physical pages (refer to step S215).

First, information of the size and orientation of the physical page isacquired (step S203), and the size and orientation of paper set at theprinting apparatus (tray setting information illustrated in FIG. 4) isacquired (step S204).

Next, it is determined whether or not a paper feed tray is specified forthe job currently being processed (step S205). When a paper feed tray isspecified, use of the specified paper feed tray for print output of thephysical page is set (step S206).

In contrast, when a paper feed tray is not specified, use of paper ofthe same size as the current physical page is set (step S207), and it isdetermined whether or not post-processing is specified (step S208). Whenpost-processing is specified, a paper feed tray is set such that thepost-processing may be executed in accordance with the orientation ofthe physical page and the specified post-processing method (step S209).In contrast, when it is determined in step S208 that post-processing isnot specified, it is determined whether or not paper feed trays for bothLEF orientation and SEF orientation exist for the paper of the size setin step S207 (step S210). In the case where paper feed trays for bothLEF orientation and SEF orientation exist, the paper feed tray for theLEF orientation is set (step S211). This is because for paper of thesame size, LEF has a smaller dimension in the paper transport directionthan SEF, and LEF orientation may achieve a larger number of sheets areprint output per unit time. In the case where only a paper feed tray forone of the orientation and the SEF orientation exists for paper of thesize set in step S207, the paper feed tray for the existing orientationis set (step S212).

After the paper feed tray is set as described above, the image isrotated to fit the orientation of paper to be used for printing (stepS213). In the case where the size of paper is smaller than the size ofthe image, the image is clipped (step S214).

Processing of step S203 and later steps is sequentially performed forall the physical pages regarding the job of interest (step S215). Whenprocessing for all the physical pages is completed, it is determinedwhether or not the number of copies is set (FIG. 9, step S216). In thecase where the number of copies is set, it is determined whether or notsorting is set (step S217). In the case where sorting is set, all thedisplay pages are copied for the set number of copies (step S218). Incontrast, sorting is not set, individual display pages are copied forthe set number of copies (step S219).

Then, it is determined whether or not reverse order printing is set(step S220). In the case where reverse order printing is set, displaypages are rearranged in the reverse order (step S221).

In step S124 illustrated in FIG. 7, the image layout calculation routineillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is executed. In accordance with thecalculation result, a “simplified” image is displayed (step S125).

The explanation has been provided above based on the assumption that theabove preview display process and the like are executed within theprinting apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the printingapparatus may only have the function for simply performing print outputin accordance with an instruction, and a server or the like may beprovided separately from the printing apparatus so that the aboveprocess and the like may be performed at the server or the like.Alternatively, the above process may be performed within the client PCs10. That is, an image display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment and an information processing apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment may be built in a printing apparatus or may beseparated from the printing apparatus.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modificationsand variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing system including a client device whichgenerates a job including a pair of first image data representing a setof first images and attachment data necessary for printing a secondimage based on the first image data, and a printing apparatus whichincludes a paper accommodation unit accommodating paper to be used forprinting, receives the job from the client device, converts the firstimage data forming the job into second image data for printing by rasterimage processor (RIP) processing, and prints the second image based onthe second image data on paper, the printing system comprising: acomputer executing a program causing the computer to act as: a jobspecification unit which specifies any job in a stage previous to theconversion into the second image data by the RIP processing; and animage generation unit which generates, based on the attachment dataforming the job specified by the job specification unit, a first image,the second image or a third image obtained by editing a thumbnail imagebased on the first image data forming the job, the third image beinggenerated to a printing layout; and an image display which displays aselected one of the first image, the second image or the third imagegenerated by the image generation unit, wherein when RIP-processedoutput data corresponding to the job exists, the image display displaysa selected one of the first image and the second image, and whenRIP-processed output data corresponding to the job does not exist, theimage display displays a selected one of the first image and the thirdimage.
 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the imagegeneration unit generates an image including a thumbnail image which isimposed according to imposition for printing.
 3. The printing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates animage including a thumbnail image which is rotated in accordance with atransport direction of paper for printing.
 4. The printing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates animage including a thumbnail image and an image representing a blanksheet of paper or a thumbnail image part of which is cut out, inaccordance with a size of the paper for printing.
 5. The printing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates animage including thumbnail images which are reproduced according to anumber of copies for printing and rearranged according to whether or notspecification of sorting is set.
 6. The printing system according toclaim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates an image includingthumbnail images which are rearranged according to whether or notspecification of reverse order printing is set.
 7. An image displayapparatus forming a printing system including a client device whichgenerates a job including a pair of first image data representing a setof first images and attachment data necessary for printing a secondimage based on the first image data, and a printing apparatus whichincludes a paper accommodation unit accommodating paper to be used forprinting, receives the job from the client device, converts the firstimage data forming the job into second image data for printing by rasterimage processor (RIP) processing, and prints the second image based onthe second image data on paper, the image display apparatus comprising:a computer executing a program causing the computer to act as: a jobspecification unit which specifies any job in a stage previous to theconversion into the second image data by the RIP processing; and animage generation unit which, based on the attachment data forming thejob specified by the job specification unit, generates: a first image,the second image, and a third image, the third image being obtained byediting a thumbnail image based on the first image data forming the job,the third image being generated to a printing layout; and an imagedisplay which displays a selected one of the first image, the secondimage or the third image generated by the image generation unit, whereinwhen RIP-processed output data corresponding to the job exists, theimage display displays a selected one of the first image and the secondimage, and when RIP-processed output data corresponding to the job doesnot exist, the image display displays a selected one of the first imageand the third image.
 8. A non-transitory computer readable mediumstoring a program causing a computer to execute a process for imagedisplay including generating a job including a pair of first image datarepresenting a set of first images and attachment data necessary forprinting a second image based on the first image data, and accommodatingpaper to be used for printing, receiving the job, converting the firstimage data forming the job into second image data for printing by rasterimage processor (RIP) processing, and printing the second based on thesecond image data on paper, the process comprising: specifying any jobin a stage previous to the conversion into the second image data by theRIP processing; generating, based on the attachment data forming thespecified job, a first image, the second image or a third image obtainedby editing a thumbnail image based on the first image data forming thejob, the third image being generated to a printing layout; anddisplaying a selected on of the generated first image, second image orthird image, wherein when RIP-processed output data corresponding to thejob exists, the image display displays a selected one of the first imageand the second image, and when RIP-processed output data correspondingto the job does not exist, the image display displays a selected one ofthe first image and the third image.